The short answer
Durrës is only about 30 km from Tirana International Airport — roughly a 30 to 40 minute trip — and, unusually for Albania, there's a genuine direct airport bus as well as taxis, transfers and rental cars. As Albania's main port and a big summer beach city, Durrës is an easy first or last stop right by the airport.
Direct airport bus — the cheapest
A direct bus runs between Tirana Airport and Durrës for a fixed fare of around €6, taking roughly 40 minutes. Reported schedules run through the day into the evening with departures roughly hourly, operated by a local company — genuinely useful and much cheaper than a taxi. Check the current timetable and the stop location when you arrive, as departures shift seasonally.
Taxi — fast and door to door
An airport taxi reaches Durrës in about 30 minutes for roughly €25–30. Taxis wait outside the terminal 24/7; agree the fare or confirm the set airport rate before you set off. This is the easiest option late at night or with luggage and family.
Private transfer or rental car
A pre-booked transfer gives you a named driver at arrivals for a fixed price — worth it after a long flight. A rental car makes sense if you'll explore the coast beyond Durrës or continue elsewhere; pick up at the airport and you're on the motorway within minutes.
Which option is right for you
On a budget or travelling light, take the direct airport bus. With luggage, a family or a late arrival, a taxi or transfer is worth the extra. Planning to move around the coast, rent a car. Because Durrës is so close to the airport, none of these options costs you much time.
From the road
Practical tips
- → Durrës has a rare direct airport bus — cheap and handy if you're travelling light.
- → Confirm the current bus timetable and stop when you land; schedules change seasonally.
- → Agree any taxi fare before setting off, or confirm the set airport rate.
- → Durrës is about 25 minutes from Tirana too — easy to combine both.
